Playing against it is a different story. Baker, who was a linebacker at Tulane from 2000 to 2004, went up against Army and Navy and their persistent and effective option attack for four consecutive seasons.

Such is the life of a team, coaches and players alike, preparing for an offense that will test the physical and mental makeup every single play.

Navy runs the same thing over and over, just in a different way .Some are dive plays. Some are quarterback keepers. Other times the ball is pitched. The Midshipmen will even throw in a pass or two when the defense least expects it.

Of all the factors, the most concerning aspect to Baker is the smaller, quicker, athletic linemen Tech will face as opposed to the traditional beefy linemen seen on a weekly basis.

Tech, which wrapped up its 10th bowl practice Wednesday in Fort Worth, Texas, has spent the last two weeks using tight ends as tackles to simulate Navy's speed.

"First couple days that was the biggest thing we were missing in my opinion is the third level, the safeties, and understanding if a lineman doesn't get to the linebacker he's going to keep climbing to you. We've really emphasized that," Baker said.

"I think we've done a good job of it on the scout team. I just think the speed of it is going to be dramatically different. That's my big concern. Hopefully it only takes a series or two to get adjusted. I know it's going to take time. I'm not naive enough to know that but obviously with the extra practice time that benefits us."

Facing lineman that cut block every play is something Tech's players have gotten used to in practice despite early levels of frustration. Baker said patience is key to not get flustered.

"I remember as a player, your knees and shins and ankles would be so beat up because they were always diving at you," Baker said. "It's going to be a game of getting off blocks. To me, physicality and pad level and tackling is gonna be the name of the game."

Playing a triple option team in a bowl is a much different animal than playing in-season. Tech knows that from a 2013 regular season date with Army when the Black Knights rushed for more than 400 yards.

For Navy, Tech had three weeks to scheme and almost two weeks of practice to implement a plan against the nation's No. 4-ranked rushing team.

"We've said as a staff I'm just glad we don't play them in the regular season," Tech coach Skip Holtz said.

"Knowing what we've done the past 10 days to get ready for this, I'm certainly glad we're playing them in a bowl game and hopefully we'll be a little bit more prepared."

Tech is prepared for things not named the triple option. Against Air Force and Army this year, Navy showed a spread, four-wide receiver look. Holtz and Baker chalked that up to Navy searching for a different look against another like-minded service academies. Still, the Bulldogs spent some time preparing for it in the event Navy spreads it out.

Baker joked he'd be happy if Navy tried to throw the ball instead of running it considering the triple option poses so many problems. Tech's pass defense has struggled all season, though

What isn't a joking matter is how Tech's linebackers will be tested. The Bulldogs are short-handed inside at the Mike linebacker position with seniors Jordan Harris and Dalton Santos academically ineligible.

Sophomore Brandon Durman started against Western Kentucky, but Tech needs depth against a physical rushing attack. Redshirt freshman Collin Scott will back up Durman.

"Certainly disappointing because this game, especially at Mike linebacker, it's more important than ever," Baker said. "It's a shame that those two guys aren't going to be here to help us because they would both be instrumental to our success.

"We're not naive enough to think a sophomore and a redshirt freshman are going to come in and do as well. We've got to find ways to protect them. At the same time they need to step up and accept the role."

Baker said he's concerned with how Durman and Scott will respond since inside linebacker is instrumental against an option team.

Redshirt freshman Donald Freeman is another player who could see an expanded role at outside linebacker. Freeman hasn't played much this year, but Baker said he likes his length and ability to make plays.